New Ulm weekly review., 1887-02-16

have engrosed him even more had not
his thoughts been diverted from
it by almost a feeling Of annoyance
that his Madge should be on friendly
terms with the half brother whose very
name was never mentioned in Heath
field Cottage.
When he reached home all was silent
as the grave; the glass door leading
from the sittin room to the garden was
.niar, as Miss Craigie had left it when
she joined him, the lamp was still burn
ing on the writing table, everything
was as she had left it. No-the draw
was still wide open, but the papers had
been touched. He noticed it at a glance;
those which had attracted Madge Graf
gies attention, with Wilfrid Lanes
name on them, were gone.
Pearly drops burst forth on Trevor's
brow as he perceived it, and staggering
into the seat which Madge had but re-
Gently quilted, he remained there for a
time immoyable. What did she know
of Wilfrid Lane was tho question he
asked himself over and over again.
We're tine details of this mans shame
full past known:to her-had she aught to
do with them Could it be possible that
she had made the excuse of sending
him away in search of bogies, while she
possessed herself of letters and docu-
ments inculpating Wilfrid Lane? No
no-the thought was madness.
Yet the papers were gone, and that
they did inculpate Wilfrid Lane very
heavily there was little doubt, since
more than one of them was forgery OF
his brothers name, and it was by
the holding Of them that Trevor sue
ceeded in keeping the vaurien out OF
England, and his own hearth and home
in peace.
Cousin Barbaras warnings against
Miss Craigie rose like spectres into his
mind, and would not be chased away,
let him struggle as resolutely as he
been in that room, and the papers were
gone-the case was conclusive. And he
had promised to marry this woman
What should he do! Go to her as soon as
possible, accuse her straightforwardly of
the theft, demand the return of the stolen
papers, and then spurn her image for
ever from his heart.
That was the decision he arrived at
while he sat gazing at the open drawer,
and the clock struck four before he at
tempted to go to bed.
To bed, but not to sleep; and when he
met Cousin Barbara at breakfast he
looked pale and haggard, and was very
silent, while Bah grumbled away in her
usual style over the Thousand and one
petty annoyances which she managed to
find at every turn.
At last Trevor rose and took up his
hat
Going out, Trevor, instead of to
work ?"
He leaned over her and kissed her.
GAY, only for little while, dear cousin.
I shall soon be back, and we will have
some long hours together in the painting
ROOM"
"Yes-silent hours, while you are
dreaming of that Miss Craigie's false,
bewitching face. You'll rue it, Trevor
you'll rue it, as I'm a living woman. :"
"He was gone, but her words followed
him all through the woods; seemed to
be echoing through the leaves.
In the vicarage garden stood Madge,
fresh and pure and lovely looking, in the
daintest Of blue muslins. She kissed
her hand to him when from some dis
tance she perceived him, and he scarce
ly returned the salutation as coldly as
he intended, for at the sight Of her
more than half of his suspicious seemed
to disappear.
Her love sham, her kisses but to
betray? Could woman be so false?
"Oh, Trevor" she cried out when he
was within hearing, ':such glorious news
I have for you. Your brother Wilfrid
has not so utterly ruined my father as
was at first imagined! Some of the
property is saved, and shall have a dot,
and not come to your home an utter
beggar."
II do not want money! answered
Trevor, scarcely graciously. Il have
enough for BOTH"
"Why, Trevor, what has happened.
How gloomy and stern you locc,l,'
Something has happened which has
upset me exceedingly. Those letters
Wilfrid's letter, that you saw in my
drawer last night-are gone" and he
looked at her fxedly while he spoke.
"Gone-What do you mean ?"
"Some one has taken them away: do
you know who it is?"
Trevor, you frighten NEEDN'T
glance at me like that-but tell me-
whose interest would it be to take them?
What are they about?"
Il am afraid you know too we'll what
they are about.
81! Why, it is only last night I dis
covered that Wilfrid Lane was your
brother"
"Ah! You are good actress, Miss
Craigie."
'Trevo- great heaven, Trevor you
do not believe that -oh, this is too alb
surd!'
'sYou know nothing Of the disappear
ance of those letters ?"
Nothing, upon my word; as I stand
here a living woman, I swear it. "
He shook his head; her very deter